Wheel of suspicion: Russians are cheated when buying foreign cars through Georgia
The first defendants have appeared in a criminal case involving the deception of Russians when buying cars from abroad. According to the investigation, the owners of the company "Avtopodberu" took from the victims a large prepayment, and promised cars were not going to provide. Details in the material "Izvestia".
Moved from the dead point
Metropolitan police detained within the framework of the investigation of a criminal case of multi-episode fraud two natives of Georgia - 54-year-old Nona Matiashvili and 55-year-old Otar Tatishvili. According to the investigation, they, acting on behalf of the company "Avtopodberu", embezzled money received from Russians wishing to purchase cars through Georgia. An agency agreement was concluded with potential victims, according to which the accomplices undertook to purchase a vehicle at an auction and deliver it to Russia. The service together with the car was valued from a million rubles and more, depending on the make and model.
Earlier "Izvestia" reported that the website of the company "Avtopodberu" posted ads offering to buy various cars from abroad at a large discount. It was claimed that the company had offices in Moscow, Kazan, Tbilisi and Alma-Ata. The clients were assured that the price for the car in the contracts was the final price. After the company received the funds, the buyers were informed under various pretexts that their cars were delayed allegedly due to unforeseen situations. They referred to problems with customs in Kyrgyzstan, temporary difficulties in Belarus and other difficulties. Under various pretexts, buyers were induced to sign an additional agreement, without which it was allegedly impossible to get the car. If the client demanded a refund, they politely said goodbye and stopped communicating with him. Several victims managed to defend their right in civil proceedings. In the course of the proceedings it became clear that quite a few people suffered from the actions of the firm.
Civil and criminal liability
The investigation found that in a number of cases the company did not plan to provide cars to customers, which forms the corpus delicti of fraud.
- It is established that the attackers acted on the territory of several districts of the capital. The investigator of the Department of Internal Affairs of the South Administrative District of the Main Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in Moscow initiated criminal proceedings on the grounds of a crime under part 4 of article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation "Fraud", - reported in the press service of the Department of Internal Affairs of the South Administrative District.
According to Izvestiya's source, the case already has at least six episodes and about 40 victims.
- Not every case of deception can be presented as an episode of criminal activity, as the transaction was of civil law nature, - explained the interlocutor.
In order to protect the rights of consumers, lawsuits were filed against "Avtopodber" in Khanty-Mansiysk District Court (Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Area), Gelendzhik City Court (Krasnodar Territory), Kirovsky District Court of Ufa (Bashkiria).
According to the Unified State Register of Legal Entities, the company "Avtopodberu" (INN 9729353191) was registered in August 2023, its founder and director remains Nona Matiashvili. By court order, she is under house arrest. As Izvestia found out, the company did have connections in Georgia (in particular, with the firm ZENA LTD) and for some time brought to Russia cars imported to the former Soviet republic from the United States. Later on, most of the cars were demonstrated to potential clients remotely (via websites and social networks), but physically remained in Georgia.
Matiashvili's company is still listed as active. Meanwhile, the Georgian branch of the firm is also reportedly experiencing difficulties. In addition to promises to buy cars, the branch took on the task of solving problems with customs clearance. Georgian law enforcers have received several applications from dissatisfied Russian consumers of their services, regional social networks report.
Cross-border nuances
- Against the background of the withdrawal of a number of car manufacturers from the Russian market, our citizens are looking for an alternative opportunity to buy a high-quality German or Japanese car, to which domestic drivers are more accustomed than to Chinese novelties, - says lawyer Pavel Korniyako. - This desire and forces motorists to resort to various kinds of "gray" schemes with the purchase of the coveted "iron horse" in the former CIS countries and at foreign auctions.
Interest in auctions is also dictated by the fact that at a relatively low price you can buy a relatively "fresh" car in a good configuration, which can hardly be found for the same money in Russia, says the lawyer.
- Buying a vehicle on the Russian market is at least somehow protected by law, although it is not always easy to defend your right in case of fraud. But when participating in schemes to buy a car at foreign auctions or sites, the risk of being cheated is multiplied.
According to him, much in this area depends on the reputation of the intermediary. With a certain amount of luck really can become the owner of a good car for a relatively acceptable amount, says the lawyer.
- But at the same time it should be understood that if you are deceived and the desired vehicle will not get to you, to return the funds transferred as a deposit, will be almost unrealistic.
Maximum risk
The lawyer notes that the Russian Federation is a subject of international legal cooperation, including within the framework of the Convention on legal assistance and legal relations in civil, family and criminal cases on October 7, 2002, as well as other treaties and agreements.
- However, when faced in practice with the implementation of the norms of international law, it should be noted that most of them are declarative in nature and it is extremely difficult to achieve the realization of their rights abroad.
The lawyer urges to stop believing in "free cheese" and consider buying a car from trusted dealers in Russia.
- If a person decides to take the risk, he or she should carefully read the agreements being concluded, their subject matter, the period of performance and guarantees of return, pay attention to reviews and the period of work of the manager assigned to the client, as well as his or her ability to meet his or her obligations.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
